Gators advance to Sweet Sixteen with win over USF

GAINESVILLE, FL- The Florida Gators are moving on to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament. Florida defeated South Florida 1-0 on Friday to accomplish the feat. The Gators have made it to the Sweet Sixteen for the thirteenth time in program history. The Gators will face Washington State on Sunday for the right to advance to the Elite Eight.

The Gators got on the board late in the first half as Briana Solis set up Mayra Pelayo off a free kick. Pelayo sent the shot inside the upper far post at the 42:00 mark of the first half. Pelayo’s goal was her fourth of the season while Solis got credit for her sixth assist of 2017.

The Gators have shut out ten opponents this year, and GK Kaylan Marckese recorded her seventh clean sheet of the season. Marckese now has twenty-one career shutouts.

Florida controlled most of the action, outshooting the Bulls 12-4 and earning ten corner kicks while only allowing one for USF. Florida forced USF into 17 fouls over the course of the match.

TEAM STATS:

USF

FLORIDA

SHOTS (ON GOAL)

4 (1)

12 (9)

CORNERS

1

10

FOULS

17

13

Goal Scorers:

43rd minute: UF PELAYO (4)

What’s Next:

Florida faces Washington State (9-7-3) at Dizney Stadium on Sunday at 2:00 PM with a trip to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight on the line. The Cougars defeated Tennessee 3-1 in penalty kicks after ending regulation and double overtime tied at 2.